Bird of the Year 2013 White-winged Flufftail Lesson 3 Animals found in wetlands The Bird of the Year 2013 project is proudly sponsored by Eskom
Lesson 3 Animals found in wetlands Background reading Wetlands are important contributors towards our country s biodiversity. If the wealth of countries were based solely on biodiversity, South Africa would be ranked the third richest country. Wetlands support a wide variety of birds, amphibians and mammals, some of which are listed in the Red Data Book. The White-winged Flufftail is just one of these. Let s look at a few of the others Wattled Crane Grus carunculatus uses wetlands for foraging and breeding. This bird is very sensitive and any disturbance may cause it to abandon its nest. In 2007 there were only 235 birds remaining in South Africa, and they are considered Critically Endangered. Warwick Tarboton Giant Bullfrog Pyxicephalus adspersus is listed as Near Threatened in southern Africa. It is the largest amphibian in the region, and occurs in open and wooded grasslands where pans form in the rainy season. Water Rat Dasymus incomtus is rare and favours reed-beds and wet grasslands. Serval Felis serval is also a rare species. It tends to concentrate in areas where its preferred prey, the Vlei Rat Otomys irroratu,s is abundant. Wetlands are important habitats for a variety of invertebrates. As these organisms are very sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, they are often used as biological indicators to assess water quality. Look out for these creatures when on your next visit to a wetland. Page 2
Before we focus in on the Bird of the Year, the White-winged Flufftail, let s take a look a few other birds found in the same ecosystem. The following birds are all widespread, and rely on wetlands. Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus (genus= bald crow in Greek) This species is the most common cormorant inland. Breeding adults are glossy black with white spots on the wings. The face is bright yellow-orange. Non-breeders are duller, and young birds have a pale belly. These birds inhabit most fresh waters. They dive from a swimming position to chase prey underwater. When perched they spread their wings to dry out and get warm. They feed mainly on fish, as well as frogs and insects. Reed Cormorants are solitary except when breeding. Their colonies consist of stick nests in a large tree, often together with other species. African Darter Anhinga rufa (genus= water turkey in Amazonian dialect) Warwick Tarboton (3) This bird is related to the cormorants, but the long, snake-like neck, slender head and long pointed bill are distinctive. It can submerge its entire body and leave only its head and neck showing, so is sometimes called the snakebird. It inhabits most open or slow-moving fresh waters. Is normally a solitary bird but is gregarious when breeding, nesting in large trees, sometimes with other species. It dives well and spears fish and frogs with its sharp bill. It is often seen perched on rocks or posts with wings spread out to dry. Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata (genus = duck in Latin) This is a typical duck, identified by the rich yellow beak with a black saddle on the upper mandible. It occurs in fresh water, and is one of the most common ducks in agricultural areas of most of southern Africa. It is gregarious when not breeding, otherwise found in pairs or family groups. This species feeds on plant material such as seeds, stems, tubers and leaves of water plants, grain, grass, and on insects and their larvae. Food is collected by dabbling in the shallows or up-ending in slightly deeper water. Yellow-billed Ducks often call in flight and especially during takeoff. Page 3
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca (genus = fox goose in Greek) This is a large, light brown bird with a darker mask around the eye, and a dark patch on the chest very distinct when in flight. It is common in most inland waters and estuaries, as well as on cultivated lands, forming large flocks when not breeding. The geese fly out in the early morning to feed, and return to water to roost on the shore or in trees during the day and after nightfall. Moulting geese are flightless, and spend most of their time in deep water. Egyptian Geese feed on grass, leaves, seeds, grain, crop seedlings, aquatic rhizomes and tubers. Breeding pairs hold a small territory, and may nest almost anywhere. Warwick Tarboton (3) Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis (genus = swift plunge in Greek/Latin) This bird resembles a small duck but has a pointed beak and virtually no tail. It is generally brown, with a dark rufous neck when breeding. It lives in open still waters, swimming slowly between dives. Most food small fish, frogs, tadpoles and insects is caught underwater. It flies only rarely, and then low and fast near the water surface. The nest is a mass of soft vegetation, floating but attached to something solid. Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata (genus = coot in Latin) Coots resemble ducks, but differ in having a pointed beak and long toes. They are black with a white bill and forehead. Red knobs on the forehead swell during the breeding season. This bird usually has a small territory,and will be aggressive towards other coots, but becomes gregarious in large open waters. It is a good swimmer and can dive in shallow water. It feeds on seeds, reed flowers, water weeds, insects and molluscs. The nest is built using grass and rush blades to form a bowl, often surrounded by water. Page 4
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus (genus = small hen in Latin) The Common Moorhen is a sooty black bird, resembling its relative the coot, but has a red frontal shield. The bill is red with a yellow tip. Moorhens inhabit reedbeds, marshes, marginal vegetation of lakes, rivers and pans and sewage ponds. They may be solitary or form small family groups. They spend most of their day swimming in open waters, wading in the shallows or walking over wet grasslands. The diet consists of water plants, seeds, berries, molluscs, worms, spiders, insects, tadpoles and carrion. Moorhens will run for cover if alarmed, clambering over reeds. When in wing moult, this bird is flightless. Warwick Tarboton (3) African Jacana Actophilornis africanus (genus = shore-loving bird in Greek/Latin) This bantam-sized bird has a rufous body with a white neck and face, black crown and bare blue frontal shield. Its toes are exceptionally long. Jacanas are usually found in small loose groups, or may be solitary or in pairs. They walk quickly over floating plants, giving them the alternative name of lily-trotter, pecking at the surface or lifting leaves to look for food. Jacanas feed mainly on insects, molluscs, crustaceans and seeds. They are highly vocal, and dive well in emergencies. Breeding is polyandrous, where the much larger female has more than one mate. Few other birds have this system. The nest is a mass of floating vegetation. All incubation, brooding and chick rearing are left to the male, while territorial behaviour falls to the larger female. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea (genus = heron in Latin) This tall, long-legged, long-necked, pale grey bird is distinguished from other herons by its white face and neck, and a wispy black plume at the nape of the neck. It frequents dams, pans and slow-flowing rivers as well as the seaside. It wades in shallow water and may swim in deeper water. Typically this bird will stand dead still for long periods waiting for food. Fish are caught with a lightning stab of the beak, but frogs, reptiles, small mammals and birds, insects and other invertebrates are eaten too. This bird lets off a loud croak when taking off, folding its neck into an S-shape in flight. It roosts and breeds communally in trees, and on cliffs or islands with much vocalisation and crest-raising displays. Page 5
Little Egret Egretta garzetta (genus = heron in old French) Egrets resemble herons. This species is snow-white, with black legs and yellow feet. The bill is slender and black. Little Egrets are found in all inland and marine wetlands. This bird is an active hunter, darting and twisting to catch its prey of fish, frogs, insects, crustaceans, molluscs and small lizards. Often it disturbs its prey by shuffling one foot on a pool bottom. Usually solitary whilst feeding, it has been found fishing cooperatively in groups of up to 14 individuals. Breeding is colonial, stick nests being built in tall trees. Hamerkop Scopus umbretta (genus = searcher in Latin) Warwick Tarboton (2) This is a plain brown, long-legged bird with a heavy crest and flattened bill. The hammer-shaped head gives this bird its name. It is found at most inland waters and occasionally on the seashore. It forages by wading in and around shallow water, stirring the mud with its foot. The bill is used sometimes to probe mud in search of adults and tadpoles of the Platanna (Xenopus laevis) as well as fish and invertebrates. Hamerkops build huge nests weighing up to 50 kg. These are roughly hollow balls of mud, sticks and grass, with a side entrance, and take about two months to complete. These nests are sometimes taken over by bees, owls, geese or other animals. Because of its strange appearance and lifestyle the Hamerkop is part of the folklore of many African peoples. Page 6
Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix (genus = Beautiful weave in Greek) This is the most common small bird in nearly all wetlands, especially of reed-beds. Breeding males are bright red and black, females, juveniles and males in winter plumage are speckled brown. The beak is short and thick, typical of a seed-eating bird. Breeding is colonial. In summer the males make colourful buzzing display flights. Successful males have up to six mates, having already built a nest for each. Females raise the young alone. Once the breeding season has finished the beautiful males moult into brown plumage identical to that of females. Warwick Tarboton (2) Refer to Activity Sheet 3 Wetland Food Web. Page 7